Like ironing...
Some colouring books on the market brand themselves as ‘colouring therapy’ and advertise their products as being able to banish anxiety and even deal with trauma. We're not sure if they’ll be able to rid you of your anxiety attacks, your insomnia, or your Carrie Matheson episodes (Homeland reference for you guys who aren’t in the know,) but we do believe they can help to take your mind of things and concentrate on something fun for a while. They lift you up and transport you on to a journey of enchantment filled with rainbows and unicorns, comic book heroes, lions, tigers and bears, or whatever you want! What’s not to love?!
Some people have bought them from us to take to their caravan, others have bought them to colour-in on the plane or while sitting by the pool in Italy, and a teacher bought one to help her relax after an evening of marking. So whatever your reason is, there’s one to suit your style.
There are so many beautiful kinds to choose from, but here's the 3 most popular styles we stock in store-
First up we have 'Secret Garden’ and ‘Enchanted Forest’ by Johanna Basford.
“Tumble down the rabbit hole and find yourself in my inky black and white Wonderland… I’m an illustrator and ink evangelist who prefers oens and pencils to pixels. I create intricate, hand drawn illustrations predominately, although not exclusively, in black and white.
My creativity is cultivated by a curious imagination and a delight in the fantastic. Much of my work has roots in the flora and fauna that surrounded me growing up on my parent’s fish farm in rural Scotland.”
It’s a no brainer to see why Johanna’s books are the best-selling colouring book on the market. The depth and intricate details, the whimsical and fairytale-like illustrations bring out our inner child, and you can’t help but ooh and ahh with each turn of the page.
Next up are ‘Animal Kingdom’ and ‘Tropical Wonderland’ by Millie Marotta.
“I work as a freelance illustrator from my studio by the sea in a little corner of West wales. Growing up on a small holding in the middle of nowhere I developed a mild obsession with all things flora and fauna, which along with intricate pattern and detail remains an ongoing theme in my work, whether it be for a commission or simply to indulge my own flight of fancy. “
Yet another stunning series of colouring books. Although there are similar themes to Johanna’s, Millie has included the mandala style of illustration in her work by putting intricate patterns within her drawings, as you can see above.
Did you know the Mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist tradition, and was originally created using granules of crushed, coloured stone? It takes a team of monks several weeks to create them. Once they are completed the mandala is destroyed as part of the tradition. The stone granules are collected in a jar, which is then wrapped in silk and transported to a river where it is released back into nature. This symbolizes the briefness of life and the world. #justsaying.
The third artist Kerby Rosanes, with his first book ‘Animorphia.’
This colouring book is a completely different style from the other two, and looks like an episode of Adventure Time. Quirky is an understatement; it's completely bonkers! In amongst his illustrations you’ll find croc-dogs, aliens eating ice-lollies, and missiles... No matter how many times you flick through it, you’ll find something new. We absolutely love it and we’re certain you will too!
Although those are our most popular colouring books, we do get these beauties in from time to time-
Have a great weekend whatever you're up to, and we'll see you soon x
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